Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from Fort Jackson Military Hospital and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent, but not more. The claim for increased evaluation of tricompartmental osteoarthrosis and effusion of the left knee with old anterior cruciate ligament tear and chondromalacia MFC is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of her depression and patellofemoral syndrome (left knee) due to the possibility that her conditions may have worsened since her last examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury related to the condition.,For his right knee scar, the Veteran's initial rating request is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the nature and extent of the scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability as there is no medical or lay evidence to support the finding of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic rhinosinusitis, perirectal abscess, dizziness, headaches, left ear hearing loss, and scar on the right knee, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left knee, low back, and left leg disorders as well as an eye disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for a deviated septum because there is no probative evidence of its occurrence during or immediately after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, including degenerative arthritis and left knee medial meniscus tear. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy prior to January 28, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/inability to use the knee. Since January 28, 2013, he received a separate 20 percent rating for right knee dislocation of semilunar cartilage and a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disorder, finding that it did not manifest to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board also found no medical evidence supporting the contention that the right knee disorder was caused by overcompensating for his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine if she is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a mental health condition due to the Veteran's personality disorder, which is not considered a disease or injury for compensation purposes. The claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities are remanded as VA outpatient records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to prescribed knee braces that damage his clothing is being remanded because there are no recent VA treatment records available.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, left leg disability (other than left knee), right fibular fracture, and left ankle disability. The remand requires additional opinions from VA clinicians regarding these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability and degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a compensable or higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a right foot condition, and TDIU due to new evidence added to the record since the last Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of left knee flexion prior to February 20, 2018. The Veteran's fibromyalgia was not related to his military service.